Part 1
Reading
Short passages with multiple-choice questions about each passage's main idea, its supporting reasons, and the meaning of words in context. Prepare with Handout 1.
Admissions
Assessment Preparation
Free handouts to help you prepare for the reading and writing assessment. Each one is short, shows you exactly what the assessment asks for, and gives examples you can practice with.
How to prepare
A simple plan
Read the four handouts in order
Handout 1 covers Part 1 (reading). Handouts 2 to 4 cover Part 2 (writing).
Practice with a short passage
Choose a passage of a few paragraphs from any book or article. Name its main idea, then write its central claim and one supporting reason in your own words.
Proofread with the checklist
Check your practice response against Handout 4. Clarity, organization, and correct grammar are how Part 2 is scored.
Take the assessment when you are ready
It opens in your student profile after you submit your application.
Handouts
The four assessment handouts
PDF files you can read on screen or print.
- Finding the main ideaFor Part 1. How to tell a passage’s topic from its main idea, find the supporting reasons, and work out what a word means in context.Handout 1 of 4 · PDF, 2 pages, 206 KB · Opens in a new tab
- Writing a central claimFor Part 2. How to restate an author’s central claim in one clear sentence of your own and add one supporting reason, with weak and strong examples.Handout 2 of 4 · PDF, 2 pages, 209 KB · Opens in a new tab
- Organizing clear paragraphsFor Part 2. One paragraph, one point: the topic sentence, support, explanation, and closing sentence, with a worked example.Handout 3 of 4 · PDF, 2 pages, 223 KB · Opens in a new tab
- Grammar and punctuation checklistFor Part 2. A proofreading checklist: complete sentences, run-ons and comma splices, agreement, clear pronouns, tense, and punctuation.Handout 4 of 4 · PDF, 2 pages, 202 KB · Opens in a new tab
Part 2
Writing
A written response, in your own words, that states a passage's central claim and one supporting reason. Prepare with Handouts 2, 3, and 4.
Writing at Berean
Citation style guides
Not needed for the assessment, which allows no outside sources. Keep them for your courses: your professor will tell you which style each course requires.
- Turabian quick guideThe notes-bibliography system most Berean courses use: how footnotes and the bibliography work together, with patterns for common sources.Citation style guide · PDF, 3 pages, 263 KB · Opens in a new tab
- SBL quick guideThe Society of Biblical Literature style for biblical studies: full and shortened notes, the bibliography, and standard abbreviations.Citation style guide · PDF, 3 pages, 277 KB · Opens in a new tab
Before you begin
Remember
- Time
- 90 minutes, in one sitting.
- Standard
- A score of 70% or higher.
- Work alone
- No help from another person, and no notes, books, or websites, including these handouts.
- Retakes
- Up to two attempts, with at least 60 days between them.
Academic integrity
The assessment is not proctored. Breaking its rules is a violation of the Academic Integrity policy and may lead to denial of admission.